TABUK, 1 June 2004 — A man died after saving one of the city’s largest residential districts from a devastating explosion by driving a burning fuel truck away from a gas station.
Ali Al-Suraei was buying dinner for his family in Al-Basateen district when he saw the fire on the truck, which was loaded with gasoline, Okaz reported. He immediately took control of the situation as the truck’s driver, an Asian, fled the scene leaving the vehicle at the gas station where it was unloading.
Al-Suraei drove the burning truck away from the populated area while the fire continued to spread. The truck finally exploded and rolled over in an empty area, killing the hero in the flames and destroying three cars.
Chief of Tabuk Court Sheikh Abdulaziz Al-Hameed said, “What Al-Suraei did was an attempt to save the residents of an entire district from the danger of the burning truck. He is a hero and martyr.”
Gen. Ibrahim Mohammad Al-Madhi encouraged gas station owners to unload gas at the defined times at night according to regulations and ensure that the electricity is turned off and fire extinguishers are available.
